Chiefs Falter in Late Innings, Fall 4-3
May 19, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL - For the first time this season the Peoria Chiefs lost a game they led after seven innings as the West Michigan Whitecaps rallied for a 4-3 win and a series split Friday night at O'Brien Field.
With the Chiefs leading 3-2 in the top of the eighth, outfielder Matthew Joyce had a chance to tie it with two outs and William Rhymes on second and came through when he lined a double down the right field chalk to knot it up at three apiece. West Michigan wasn't done yet. With Joyce at second and Michael Hollimon at the plate, the Whitecaps' shortstop laced a double of his own down the left field line to give West Michigan a 4-3 lead.
The Chiefs had a chance to tie it or possibly do more damage in the bottom of the eighth. Peoria loaded them up for Matt Ciaramella, but he grounded out to Rhymes to end the inning. The Chiefs never threatened in the ninth.
After being held scoreless through four, Peoria finally broke through in the fifth. With one out, Ciaramella reached on an infield single. Davy Gregg reached on a fielder's choice and an error leaving runners on first and second for Dylan Johnston. In his first game back from injury, the Chiefs' shortstop smoked a double off the top of the right field wall to bring home Ciaramella. Jesus Valdez then made it back-to-back doubles when he roped a two bagger down the right field line scoring both Gregg and Johnston to make it a 3-1 game.
The Whitecaps scored first in the top half of the fifth. With two outs and nobody on, Joel Roa rocketed a solo shot down the left field to make it 1-0.
West Michigan got another solo homer in the sixth, this time by Joyce, his second HR in as many nights to cut the Chiefs' lead to 3-2.
Starter Mitch Atkins was very good again at home. He got the no-decision going six innings giving up two runs on three hits. The right-hander struck out seven Whitecaps. Jeff Teasley came out of the bullpen and suffered the defeat going 1 2/3 innings allowing two runs. West Michigan starter Sendy Vasquez also picked up a no-decision, throwing six innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits. Ricky Steik got the win in relief pitching two scoreless frames. Orlando Perlomo earned his now league-leading 12th save of the season.
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